Panera Bread controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Blount Fine Foods recalls Panera chicken tortilla soup
Recall announced
Blount Fine Foods issued a recall for 6,384 pounds of Panera chicken tortilla soup because it may be contaminated with a gray nitrile glove. The product was shipped to retail locations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
Company response
Recall — Blount Fine Foods
Blount Fine Foods has issued a recall for 6,384 pounds of Panera chicken tortilla soup that may be contaminated with a gray nitrile glove.
Source excerpt
It was sold in plastic containers labeled as Panera Bread at Home Chicken Tortilla Soup with a lot code of 070121-1V.
It has a use-by date of Sept. 9, 2021 on the label.
and was shipped to retail locations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
2019
Panera Bread was sued over alleged disability discrimination
Lawsuit filed
Jennifer Barkhorn sued Panera Bread, alleging that she was fired because of her disability and that the company failed to accommodate her. The allegations are claims in the suit, not a court finding. Panera denied the allegations and said its internal investigation found no evidence of discrimination.
Company response
Denial — Panera Bread
Panera Bread denied the allegations
Investigation — Panera Bread
an internal investigation, as well as an investigation conducted with Barkhorn’s job program, found “no evidence of discrimination.”
Source excerpt
Panera Bread denied the allegations, telling NJ Advance Media an internal investigation, as well as an investigation conducted with Barkhorn’s job program, found “no evidence of discrimination.”
A New Jersey woman with Down syndrome is suing Panera Bread, saying she was fired because of her disability after several years of employment.
Jennifer Barkhorn, 28, worked at the Sparta location for nearly four years, before a switch in management and new job duties lead to her firing, according to a suit filed in Superior Court of Sussex County earlier this month.
2018
Customer-data exposure
A security vulnerability reportedly left customer records accessible through the Panera website for an extended period. Reported information included names, contact details, loyalty information, birthdays and partial payment-card data. Panera disputed the scale reported by outside researchers and said the issue was fixed.
2009
California labor-law litigation
Former workers alleged violations involving overtime, meal and rest periods, termination pay and California unfair-competition rules. The claims were settled without an admission of wrongdoing.
2008
Shareholder disclosure lawsuit settlement
Shareholders alleged that Panera had failed to disclose adverse information about its financial condition and business prospects. The company agreed in 2011 to a settlement without admitting wrongdoing.